The Detroit Lions made a significant roster move this offseason, and not everyone is convinced it was the right decision.
Dan Campbell, Brad Holmes, and the Lions’ leadership have been working to restructure the team for a strong 2025 season. This has been challenging, as the team lost several key coaches and players following their playoff defeat to the Washington Commanders.
Not everyone could be retained, and some tough choices had to be made. One, in particular, might prove costly for Detroit.
The Lions released Za’Darius Smith this offseason, mainly due to financial reasons. His contract would have been expensive to keep, so Detroit let him go at the start of free agency. This move freed up $5.7 million in cap space, which could be valuable for other roster needs.
Despite the financial logic, NFL analyst Brad Berreman of SideLion Report questions how the team plans to address their pass-rushing needs.
“Re-signing Marcus Davenport is the headliner move to this point, which says it all amid some other lower-level re-signings,” Berreman wrote in a March 24 article titled, “Foolishness of Lions letting Za’Darius Smith go is being proven more and more.”
“There seems to be a total deference to a deep draft class at edge rusher to more notably fill the need,” Berreman continued. “If it was a one or the other choice between Smith and Davenport, there’s a solid argument the Lions made the wrong choice.”
Smith remains unsigned in free agency, leaving the possibility of a return open.
“It would tilt toward unlikely if the reason for his release was rooted in being asked to take a pay cut. But if he’s not finding what he expected on the open market, the door to come back is theoretically open,” Berreman noted.
In a March 22 article discussing former Lions still available, Cem Yolbulan of Detroit Jock City pointed out Smith’s difficulty in staying with one team.
“Despite being a three-time Pro Bowler and a productive defensive end throughout his career, Smith has found it hard to stick with a team,” Yolbulan wrote.
Yolbulan also highlighted Smith’s frequent movement since 2021, having played for four teams, including the Packers, Vikings, and Lions. If he signs elsewhere, it would mark his sixth team in 11 NFL seasons.
Ultimately, Lions fans are left wondering if the team has a plan to strengthen the defensive line or if they’re uncertain about their next move.
“The Lions have sat on their hands to add a proven edge rusher who can stay on the field after having one in their midst they didn’t necessarily have to let go,” Berreman concluded. “Maybe time proves them correct, or there’s a plan that has yet to be revealed, but letting Smith go is looking more and more foolish.”